december 12.

check your calendars everybody because today is one special day! 12.12.12. it is the last repetitive date we we will ever see ... never in our life time we will experience a date like this, how special is that! i wonder how many weddings are being held and how many babies are being born to this birthday. 12.12.12 is definitely a once in a lifetime experience.

make it special for you.
love sent, xo

my favorite christms carol.

last year we saw josh groban in concert.  it was a fantastic show.  he has such a calm
presence and his voice is so captivating.  




 

christmas is coming...

this summer while vacationing in maine we talked about possibly coming back for a christmas holiday weekend.   at that time christmas seemed so far away.  i am not the best plan aheader (love to make up words)  so deciding to do that even 4 months in advance seemed overwhelming.  we went back and forth and before we went home, we booked it.  boy am i glad we did.  it has already been a really special season for us and this added to the beauty. 

a dear friend of ours owns a bakery in this little maine town and we don't always get to see much of each other.  but, when we do it's as if  we were here yesterday.  this weekend we had the opportunity to catch up over coffee, reminisce of days gone by,  remember the love, remember the loss, revisit all the changes still  wondering how we ever survive some of the challenges that we face. but we do.   we laughed, we cried, we hugged and i knew that in that moment this is really what chritmas is all about.  this gift of friendship is what really matters, this gift of love.  these ordinary moments make my christmas complete.

i now have christmas music playing non stop.   i am holding on to the memory of walking around this small town admiring the lights, taking a trolley ride, gathering around the fire pit toasting marshmallows and feeling such peace.

                                                           the first real gift of christmas

                                                        mom arrives tonight.  more magic.

                                         here 's a peek at picturesque, beautiful, kennebunkport.

 

 

 

love, sent, xo

moments....

these mugs  are perfect for apple cider or hot chocolate or eggnog

i can’t believe that december is fully under way.   it seems like certain times of the year go by faster than others  -   january and february sometimes feel like they’re moving backward, but i’m embracing the upcoming holiday season with open arms. it will be busy – with plenty of traveling and projects – but i’m excited about some of the plans i’ve already made.   i am a firm believer that the more time you set aside for the little things, the more you’ll enjoy the best parts of each season.  the little things are what matter most.

 have a great weekend.

love sent, xo

my favorite christmas book of all time...

buy it for someone you love.  and never stop believing.

love sent, xxoo

the most wonderful time of the year...

november was filled with lots of thankfulness and gratefulness.  we are already into december and it's quickly slipping into fast paced activity mode.  looking forward to lots of hot chocolate and marshmallows.   say your wishes out loud. enjoy everyday togetherness that comes with real life.  think early mornings and cozy nests.  dream of mellow sundays and the first snowfall. 

all your choices matter, so choose carefully. 

jackson village is so magical 

 take a sleigh ride

eat amazing french onion soup 

watch the rushing river from season to season 

 tour nestlenook farm

stoke the fire  

cozy up 

 don't forget your friends

 glorious food

try ginger bread french toast with pumpkin cheesecake ice cream and caramel sauce

 crunch the snow

                       dream the dreams that have the power to push your whole world forward...


love sent, xo

fried artichoke hearts....

a couple of christmas seasons ago i ate these amazing bites at a tiny restaurant in the north end of boston.  i  have thought about them so many times since but never attempted to make them until today.   

1 can artichoke hearts
1/4 cup flour sprinkled with salt and pepper
2 eggs beaten
2 cups panko bread crumbs mixed with parmesan cheese.
oil for frying

heat oil on medium heat

roll artichoke hearts in flour.  dip into egg mixture,  then into bread crumb mixture.
fry until golden brown sprinkle with more parmesan cheese. 

serve only to your favorite people..

love sent, xxoo